Overview
- Industry group Gesamtmetall warns the sector is likely to shed tens of thousands of jobs next year.
- Chief Oliver Zander says about 10,000 positions are currently disappearing each month as underutilized production persists.
- Employment has declined for 21 straight months, with 3.816 million people working in the sector at the end of October.
- Gesamtmetall urges the government to rein in EU regulatory burdens and calls on Chancellor Friedrich Merz to push for a course change at the February 13, 2026 EU summit.
- The association blames high taxes, energy and labor costs, while an Ifo survey shows only about one in seven firms feel optimistic for 2026 and labor officials report weak job prospects.